Epistle of James September 22, 2013 Bob Eckel 1 James 5:13-18 “Suffering and Trials, Part 1” James 5:13 - Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. –What does it mean to be afflicted? kakopatheō – suffer troubles, hardness, misfortune –Seems related to James 5:10-12 doesn’t it. Why is this in the active tense; doesn’t it appear passive? The result - let him pray, an imperative – do it! –And when we pray, put this all into context. »II Cor 12:10 - Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. »II Cor 4:17,18 - For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Epistle of James September 22, 2013 Bob Eckel 2 James 5:13-18 “Suffering and Trials, Part 1” »Psalm 50:5 – And call on me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. –Is any merry? to be of good cheer, literally to have the mind well –I certainly hope so. The result – let him sing psalms, also an imperative –psallō – literally to pluck off »Thus, this could be done by voice or instrument »And after the shipwreck they were all encouraged – Acts 27:22, 36 »And remember Paul and Silas who as prisoners turned affliction into merriment – Acts 16:25 James 5:14 - Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

Epistle of James September 22, 2013 Bob Eckel 3 James 5:13-18 “Suffering and Trials, Part 1” –Define sickness astheneō – feeble, weak, without strength, physically ill In context could be spiritual or physical –Which do you think fits best here? »James 5:20 suggests spiritual »Moreover, it is unlikely that every physical illness is cured »James 5:15 more physical but ‘raise him up’ could also pertain to spiritual revival – Rom 13:11; Eph 5:14 –Whatever, let him call on the elders of the church aorist tense imperative mood The verse doesn’t say not to call a doctor! –Again, perhaps this is more spiritual than physical –and let them pray over him - aorist, imperative And how should the elders pray?

Epistle of James September 22, 2013 Bob Eckel 4 James 5:13-18 “Suffering and Trials, Part 1” –For healing »Acts 28:8 - And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. –Does God miraculously heal today like during the apostolic age? »I Cor 12:9 - …to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, »I Cor 13:10 - But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. –Rom 8:26 - Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. –anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord anointing – physical refreshment after washing (OT), of the sick (NT), or a dead body (Mark 16:1) with oil or ointment. –Does the oil have therapeutic value or is it symbolic?

Epistle of James September 22, 2013 Bob Eckel 5 James 5:13-18 “Suffering and Trials, Part 1” –JFB – ‘Oil in the East, and especially among the Jews (see the Talmud, Jerusalem and Babylon), was much used as a curative agent. It was also a sign of the divine grace. Hence it was an appropriate sign in performing miraculous cures.’ »Also used in many pagan societies Notice that the elders were and are church leaders and presumably Spirit-led. –Thus, their prayers and anointing were appointed of God to be His spiritual representatives. in the name of the Lord –Barnes – ‘When we do anything that tends to promote virtue, to alleviate misery, to instruct ignorance, to save life, or to prepare others for heaven, it is right to feel that we are doing it in the name of the Lord.’ James 5:15 - And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if

Epistle of James September 22, 2013 Bob Eckel 6 James 5:13-18 “Suffering and Trials, Part 1” he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. –Notice the prayer – of faith! –save, sōzō From danger or destruction vs. spiritual –Danger or destruction could be related to physical sickness –Spiritual »from the penalty of sins or »making one the partaker of the Christ nature –Physical and/or spiritual? What kind of sickness is this? Is physical sickness a result of committing sins? –Sometimes but certainly not always. –and raise him up – again physical and/or spiritual

Epistle of James September 22, 2013 Bob Eckel 7 James 5:13-18 “Suffering and Trials, Part 1” Phil 1:21 ‘For to me to live is Christ and die is gain’ Either way you win!